Private Hire Licensing

Town Police Clauses Act 1847
Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976

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A Private Hire Vehicle is sometimes also referred to as "minicab, Chauffeur or Executive Hire". Private hire vehicles cannot be hailed on the street or approached by foot on a taxi rank. They must be pre-booked through an operating company only. Sometimes you will pick up cards with telephone numbers on of Private Hire companies whereby you have to telephone for a car to come to collect you. This is called Private Hire. Private hire can also be collecting from airport executive clients and driving for various businesses and is sometimes known as Chauffeur or executive hire. Both the Drivers and the Vehicles are required by law to be licensed separately to ensure Public Safety.

Throughout the South Bucks District all Private Hire Drivers will wear a clearly visible drivers badge, which includes their photograph, name, badge number and expiry date. These badges are Red in colour and must be produced upon request by any customer, officer of the council or police officer. Private Hire Vehicles are required to display a Red South Bucks District Council Plate at the rear of the vehicle and matching Red door stickers will also be visible on the rear passenger doors of the vehicle. The Door stickers and Licence plate will confirm that the vehicle is licensed and will identify the licence number, vehicle registration and also the expiry date of the licence.

Remember: all of the above items are very important, they show you the paying customer that the vehicle is correctly licensed and insured to carry you for your journey and will also indicate that the driver has undertaken all relevant police checks and driving tests to enable him/her to safely drive members of the public.

If you are interested in becoming a Private Hire Driver please click on the link below to download a copy of our current licensing policy document. You can also click on the link below to contact the Licensing team for an appointment with an officer of the team.

Please email the team for an appointment on licensing@southbucks.gov.uk

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